Pandora sales sparkle as Danish jeweller charms UK shoppers November 10, 2015 Danish jewellery brand Pandora has posted a 50.5 per cent jump in UK sales in the third quarter, after its rings, necklaces and charm bracelets flew off the shelves. The listed company, which has opened 179 stores in the UK over the last seven years, said like-for-like sales increased by 17.5 per cent compared to [...]
Marks and Spencer loses appeal against former landlord BNP Paribas December 2, 2015 You know that times are tough for retailers when they are prepared to fight for every penny they could put back in the piggy-bank. Marks and Spencer (M&S) has today lost a long-running battle against its former landlord BNP Paribas after the Supreme Court dismissed its appeal to claw back £1.1m of rent it claims it overpaid. In July 2011, [...]
Sweett Group: Property surveyors admits Middle East bribery in relation to an SFO case into its activities in the United Arab Emirates December 2, 2015 The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has today revealed that Sweett Group has admitted to a bribery offence. The SFO opened an investigation into the property surveyors in July 2014, regarding its activities in Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In Sweett Group’s interim results statement, which was also published today, chief executive Douglas [...]
Christmas ‘tis the season to… sort out your finances: Use the holidays to prepare for a more financially savvy New Year in 2016 December 9, 2015 Christmas is a time of abundance, of eating, drinking and throwing money around like there’s no tomorrow. But the combination of profligate spending and time off work can make the festive period a good time to take stock of your finances. While cautioning readers about the pitfalls of over-spending at Christmas may make me [...]
Next ups full year profit guidance after strong third quarter as it pays out 60 pence per share dividend October 28, 2015 High street retailer Next has raised its guidance for full year profit after another strong quarter. The figures Next's retail arm grew sales 5.9 per cent in the 13 weeks to 28 October, while its directory division grew by 6.2 per cent, giving the group as a whole a six per cent increase in sales. [...]
Debenhams share price rises as chief executive Michael Sharp reveals plan to step down “some time in 2016” October 22, 2015 Debenhams' share price opened up this morning as chief executive Michael Sharp confirmed he plans to leave the struggling department store business “sometime in 2016”. Sharp, who has been at the helm since September 2011, will stay on during Christmas and into the new year to help the board find his successor. “This process will evaluate internal [...]
Next’s share price falls as retailer reports disappointing sales, with warm weather deterring shoppers January 5, 2016 High street giant Next's share price fell this morning after it reported disappointing sales in the run up to Christmas, as the warm weather took its toll alongside growing competition online. The figures Sales over the 60 days to 24 December nudged up 0.4 per cent across the group, with Next Directory growing two per cent, [...]
Royal Mail share price rises as Christmas packages pick up January 22, 2015 The figures Shares in Royal Mail went up by 4.18 per cent to £4.49 in trading this morning, following the company's positive results for the Christmas period. Group revenue rose one per cent during the nine months to 28 December, indicating the company is performing in line with expectations. The UK postal service [...]
Asda drops petrol prices below £1 a litre as oil price hits seven year low but how long will it last? December 10, 2015 Asda's done it. From tomorrow its petrol will be cheaper than £1 a litre, but only for a couple of days. As oil prices continue to languish around seven year lows, Asda has announced it will cut the price of its unleaded petrol to 99.7p a litre, and diesel to 103.7p per litre. The reduction will only [...]
Black Friday 2015 UK deals: What retailers can expect from the biggest shopping day of the year October 22, 2015 Black Friday is now big news in the UK. Last year according to Barclaycard, more was spent on Black Friday than on any day of last year’s shopping season, making it the biggest spending day on record. Black Friday this year is likely to herald a similar frenzy and signals a change in customer shopping [...]